Plan Commission On Split Vote Recommends Denial of Rezoning Request

Published on January 11 2017 4:40 pm
Last Updated on January 11 2017 4:40 pm
Written by Greg Sapp

The Effingham City Plan Commission voted Tuesday to recommend the City Council deny a request for rezoning.

The request involves the property at 1000 South Fourth Street. The building is a vacant structure that has sat empty for some time. Since the building was unoccupied for more than a year, the property reverted to its original zoning of R-2, or single-family dwelling. Members Bradley O'Dell and Kimberly Burgess of Coultri Ventures are seeking a rezoning to R-3B, or two-family duplex dwelling.

Neighbors complained that the property has sat unoccupied for a period of years following a fire and that any improvements have only come after ordered by the City. On the other hand, the rezoning would mean two more places to live within the City limits.

The proposed development, though, is not in conformance with the City's Comprehensive Plan and there is no other R-3B zoning in that area.

The vote was to recommend the City Council deny the rezoning request. Four voted in favor of that motion, two voted No, and one other member abstained from the vote since he owns neighboring property.

The Council will likely consider the rezoning at next week's meeting.

The Plan Commission Tuesday also recommended the Council approve a plat of Donald Thoele Subdivision on the northeast corner of South 3rd and East Douglas. It's a half-acre lot that the developer would like to split into two lots.

The Commission also approved a site plan for Ford Avenue retail shops. The site plan involves a building next to Famous Footwear on the city's northwest side that would front on the south side of Ford Avenue and would include a drive-thru that would provide access to the rear of the building for customers. The business was not identified at the meeting.